All the pieces to be featured in the afternoon performance were composed within the last 30 years. All of the composers are living and two plan to attend the recital. The women depicted in the songs range from a 15th century Hindi poet saint, to Emily Dickinson, to the modern woman.

Devoted to song literature and the performance of modern works, this past summer Porter premiered two compositions at the New Music on the Point Festival and played the roles of Jano and Pastuchyna (Jenufa) with Opera Slavica in New York City.

Devoted art song literature, Penna currently teaches at Westminster Choir College and The Juilliard School.

He has been on the faculties at Yale University School of Music, the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, the Bowdoin Festival, the Vancouver International Song Institute, and the Steans Institute of the Ravinia Festival.